What if, in the early 1980s, when the consequences of wireless telephone and Internet technology were receiving third-tier attention from our nation’s journalist community, the average American had been thoroughly informed of the probable intrusions on his privacy when making a simple cell phone call or navigating the web? Would Americans have sat idly by and naively invited this technology into their lives? Is the table now set for a generous helping of buyer’s remorse?

The next two years will reveal exactly how much Americans value their right to privacy.